Two prominent North Dakota medical cannabis companies have significantly funded the New Economic Frontier campaign, which aims to legalize cannabis in the state. According to the North Dakota Monitor, Pure Dakota Health, with three medical cannabis dispensaries in the state, has contributed approximately $247,000 in both cash and in-kind donations. GR Holding OH-ND LLC, affiliated with the multistate cannabis operator Curaleaf, donated $40,000. Curaleaf operates four dispensaries in North Dakota.
The campaign, which has raised a total of $287,000 from these contributions, will see its initiative on November ballots following an announcement by the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. To date, only $130 has been raised from smaller donations outside these major contributions.
Steven Bakken, chair of New Economic Frontier, emphasized that if the measure passes, all businesses, including medical cannabis operators, would be eligible to apply for adult-use cannabis permits. Paul Chialdikas, senior vice president of Curaleaf, highlighted the company’s experience in transitioning markets and its readiness to offer a range of products to both medical and potential adult-use consumers.
Medical cannabis sales in North Dakota have surged from $6.4 million in 2020 to $21.6 million in 2023, as reported by the Department of Health and Human Services. The state’s medical cannabis fees have exceeded $2.1 million for the 2021-23 biennium, with over 9,500 patients enrolled as of June 30, 2023.
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